Psychotherapist Dr Favour Alexander has called on the Nigerian government to shift its approach to suicide from punishment to support. In a statement reported by Punch Nigeria, Dr Alexander urged authorities to provide clinical, non‑judgmental care for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, rather than criminalising them.
The expert warned that criminalising suicide attempts can discourage individuals from seeking help and may worsen the very problems the law is meant to address. She argued that a supportive, therapeutic response is more likely to reduce the risk of self‑harm and encourage recovery.
Dr Alexander highlighted the importance of expanding mental‑health services, including training for professionals and the availability of counselling for those at risk. She said that a public‑health framework would better protect vulnerable citizens and improve overall wellbeing.
Her remarks come amid growing concern over suicide rates in Nigeria, where mental‑health resources remain limited and stigma around self‑harm is widespread. The call for policy reform seeks to align the country’s legal stance with evidence‑based practices that prioritize care over criminalisation.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
